Summerset: Looking Back

psychotrip · September 2019

Since the last thread got closed for being "not relevant", we may as well make this a catch-all thread for all things Summerset.

Its been a while now and I'm curious what you guys think of it looking back.

Here's some conversation starters, but feel free to bring up anything you want about the chapter:

1. Did you like the overall visual style of Summerset (color palette, architecture, gear, monsters, landscapes etc)?
2. Did the environments / cities feel varied and unique, or repetitive?
3. What did you think about the story and characters?
4. Did you like the portrayal of the Altmer? Did you find them interesting and/or unique?
5. What about the overarching worldbuilding and lore? Did you like the direction Zenimax took with Summerset?
6. What about the gameplay? Did you enjoy the delves and end game content?
7. Overall, do you think there was enough content?
8. Compared to similarly priced dlc / expansions in other MMOs, do you think Summerset was worth the money?

Also, I never actually got to ask an important question in the last thread: did we actually find out definitely how big Summerset was? Did the mountains really make it disproportionally small? Or were we just imagining things like Zenimax seemed to imply? Was this really their biggest chapter yet?

Original thread: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/407887/mountains-mountains-and-more-mountains-vvardenfell-vol-2/p1

So let's discuss all things Summerset!

TelvanniWizard · September 2019

I was super disappointed with the architecture. That is why I dind't buy it, and played it a year later through Plus.

Cirantille · September 2019

I loved everything about it

rotaugen454 · September 2019

It was worth it just to have Alinor to quickly craft in. I’ve made millions in gold from that.

I also enjoyed the main quest line, and the first couple of times through with the chatty crystal skull in the skill line.

sionIV · September 2019

1. Orsinium
2. Morrowind
3. Summerset
...
14. Elsweyr

It wasn't as good as Orsinium nor Morrowind, but it wasn't as bad as Elsweyr.

Tatanko · September 2019

I miss clam hunting

I can still do it of course, it just isn't profitable like it used to be. That was my favorite part of Summerset: wandering the beaches looking for clams.

parpin · September 2019

it was the best dlc they ever made because i play as high elf and they recognized me and acknowledged me and they were like" yeah you are one of us" very very cool.
environment was very beautiful.
story was decent.
good amount of content.
trial/raid was challenging and fun.
the only disappointed part was that Queen Ayrenn was missing because zos can not afford Kate Beckinsale anymore, i am huge fan of Kate Beckinsale and was looking forward to hear her voice again but sadly she is too expensive apparently.
over all best dlc/chapter so far.

markulrich1966 · September 2019

it is one of my favourite regions, makes me feel like being on holiday in the mediterranean. Far less toxic/childish zonechat than in Auridon.

I spent a lot of time doing daily delves and worldbosses before Elsweyr, as I needed the reward Culanda Laquer to craft and sell furniture.

I often stopped riding to the target location, just starting to run around having a look at parts I had not seen before, or to farm some mats as I enjoy the ambience.

Unfortunately, since elswer there are not many players left to do worldbosses on xbox EU in summerset. Even using zonechat it became difficult to find some.
Before, we sometimes used zonechat to form spontaneous worldboss-hunt groups.

So I actually just do my daily delves there, and the worldbosses in elsweyr (also need shimmering sand).

Quests: not that many, but enough for me for several days of distraction from the more monotone dailies.
I had bought the chapter before it became free for ESO+, and never regretted it.

Negative issues:
- B'Korgen and Graveld are too difficult.
- when I did worldbosses and so often travelled back to alinor, I had 5-10 crashes every evening doing all my dailies with 8 toons (memory issues I think freezing the game when you try to get to Alinor). Since I do delves only, i no longer encounter this.

sionIV · September 2019

markulrich1966 wrote: »

it is one of my favourite regions, makes me feel like being on holiday in the mediterranean.

I spent a lot of time doing daily delves and worldbosses before Elsweyr, as I needed the reward Culanda Laquer to craft and sell furniture.

I often stopped riding to the target location, just starting to run around having a look at parts I had not seen before, or to farm some mats as I enjoy the ambience.

Unfortunately, since elswer there are not many players left to do worldbosses on xbox EU in summerset. Even using zonechat it became difficult to find some.
Before, we sometimes used zonechat to form spontaneous worldboss-hunt groups.

So I actually just do my daily delves there, and the worldbosses in elsweyr (also need shimmering sand).

Quests: not that many, but enough for me for several days of distraction from the more monotone dailies.
I had bought the chapter before it became free for ESO+, and never regretted it.

Negative issues:
- B'Korgen and Graveld are too difficult.
- when I did worldbosses and so often travelled back to alinor, I had 5-10 crashes every evening doing all my dailies with 8 toons (memory issues I think freezing the game when you try to get to Alinor). Since I do delves only, i no longer encounter this.

I can understand if some players find B'Korgen difficult (I don't, I find him annoying), but Graveld? The Salamander? Really?

markulrich1966 · September 2019

sionIV wrote: »

I can understand if some players find B'Korgen difficult (I don't, I find him annoying), but Graveld? The Salamander? Really?

yes, his ads. When his health falls below 25%, he spawns fire throwing ads that often killed us when we were just 2 players.

sionIV · September 2019

markulrich1966 wrote: »

sionIV wrote: »

I can understand if some players find B'Korgen difficult (I don't, I find him annoying), but Graveld? The Salamander? Really?

yes, his ads. When his health falls below 25%, he spawns fire throwing ads that often killed us when we were just 2 players.

They are called WORLD BOSSES for a reason, and they shouldn't get changed so that two random strangers can comfortably kill them. I can solo him on most of my characters, he's not a very difficult boss, and I would hate if they made him easier. If anything, the rest of the bosses should get upgraded to the same difficulty as B'Korgen (albeit less annoying).

Davor · September 2019

psychotrip wrote: »

1. Did you like the overall visual style of Summerset (color palette, architecture, gear, monsrers, landscapes etc)?

Yes I enjoyed the visual style. Except for that gryphon with the broken wing on the loading screen.

2. Did the environments / cities feel varied and unique, or repetitive?

Haven't finished it. Still savouring it and doing it very slowly.

3. What did you think about the story and characters?

I like them from what I have done. As I said, haven't completed them so can't say for the story, but some of the side quests were interesting. The "theater troupe" quest was different and unexpected.

4. Did you like the portrayal of the Altmer? Did you find them interesting and/or unique?

I was disappointed with it. It just goes to show you that all races in Tamriel are racists unless you were born in that province. All I see was like in Morrowind with the Dunmer. While "accepting" you can see the contempt that they have with other races.

[edit]5. What about the overarching worldbuilding and lore? Did you like the direction Zenimax took with Summerset?[/edit]

Yes I liked it. It is fun going through it now.

[edit]6. What about the gameplay? Did you enjoy the delves and end game content?[/edit]

There was one delve I didn't like. Or was it a dungeon. I can't remember. Was frustrating.

[edit]7. Overall, do you think there was enough content?[/edit]

Sadly I don't think there is much. A reason why I am taking my time and doing a quest, finish it, then go to the main land to do more quests. I try to stay away from spoilers, so I don't know how much or little Summerset does have. Just a feeling.

[edit]8. Compared to similarly priced dlc / expansions in other MMOs, do you think Summerset was worth the money?[/edit]

For me, it should be free. After all, it is DLC and anyone who has ESO+ should be getting it for free. Ok vented

Yes I will say it was worth it for me. I got the collector's edition and really sad we didn't get one for Elsewyr.

Also, I never actually got to ask an important question in the last thread: did we actually find out definitely how big Summerset was? Did the mountains really make it disproportionally small? Or were we just imagining things like Zenimax seemed to imply? Was this really their biggest chapter yet?

This was one of the first things I wanted to say. Summerset feels small. Look on the map and Summerset should be about 1.5-2X the size of Auridon. I even did a test going from south to north in Auridon and same for Summerset and Summerset feels so small. I guess that is why I think Summerset is lacking content and not many quests to do.

Over all, disappointed a little because of Zenimax Online going back on their word about Free DLC and not respecting their fans/customers to say they screwed up when promising free DLC for ESO+ members. So since ZOS is now a little tarnished and I accept it for what it is, and try to make the best of it. After the sour layers are off, it is a beautiful game and for me lots of fun. I do wish the maps were bigger. Even with access to the mountains, Summerset seems so much smaller.

For now, in my limited playthrough I give Summerset a 8/10.

TheGreatBlackBear · September 2019

Summerset was the beginning of the end imo. It introduced Relequen and forever changed stam dps. 14k dps just for light attacking. That's more dps than many people's entire rotation does.

whitecrow · September 2019

psychotrip wrote: »

Since the last thread got closed for being "not relevant", we may as well make this a catch-all thread for all things Summerset.

Its been a while now and I'm curious what you guys think of it looking back.

Here's some conversation starters, but feel free to bring up anything you want about the chapter:

1. Did you like the overall visual style of Summerset (color palette, architecture, gear, monsrers, landscapes etc)?
2. Did the environments / cities feel varied and unique, or repetitive?
3. What did you think about the story and characters?
4. Did you like the portrayal of the Altmer? Did you find them interesting and/or unique?
5. What about the overarching worldbuilding and lore? Did you like the direction Zenimax took with Summerset?
6. What about the gameplay? Did you enjoy the delves and end game content?
7. Overall, do you think there was enough content?
8. Compared to similarly priced dlc / expansions in other MMOs, do you think Summerset was worth the money?

Also, I never actually got to ask an important question in the last thread: did we actually find out definitely how big Summerset was? Did the mountains really make it disproportionally small? Or were we just imagining things like Zenimax seemed to imply? Was this really their biggest chapter yet?

Original thread: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/407887/mountains-mountains-and-more-mountains-vvardenfell-vol-2/p1

So let's discuss all things Summerset!

I loved the visual style of Summerset! It's possibly the most beautiful zone in the game. The first time I saw a coral mudcrab I was stunned by how lovely it looked (seems silly I know.) Loved the gryphons, too.

Environments were varied enough I guess. I wouldn't expect parts of one zone to be radically different.

Story was great. I really liked the Psijic quest line.

The Altmer are snooty but they always have been. I have no problem with it.

I'm a casual as far as lore goes; I'm generally familiar with it but can't memorize everything. So I'm happy to go wherever they take me.

I liked the gameplay. Delves were fun, and the geysers were a nice spin on the dolmen idea (though harder to solo!)

It felt smaller than previous zone expansions or maybe it's just that I'm better at the game so I get through it faster. But it was fine, I guess.

I haven't played any other MMO expansions.

Faulgor · September 2019

1. Did you like the overall visual style of Summerset (color palette, architecture, gear, monsrers, landscapes etc)?
It was alright, besides the lore-issues and lack of biomes for a zone of that size.

2. Did the environments / cities feel varied and unique, or repetitive?
Very repetitive, but we knew that going in

3. What did you think about the story and characters?
The main story was the best of all chapters so far, easily. It was just a shame it didn't touch a lot on Altmer culture.

4. Did you like the portrayal of the Altmer? Did you find them interesting and/or unique?
Nope. Their culture was only explored very superficially, and was surprised me the most was the lack of magic in their everyday lives.

5. What about the overarching worldbuilding and lore? Did you like the direction Zenimax took with Summerset?
The main quest, again, was excellent. Everything else was disappointing in varying degrees, I have to say.

6. What about the gameplay? Did you enjoy the delves and end game content?
Delves and world bosses were good. I don't care much for trials, though.

7. Overall, do you think there was enough content?
I suppose. It's comparable to their other content releases.

8. Compared to similarly priced dlc / expansions in other MMOs, do you think Summerset was worth the money?
Summerset was already cheaper than Morrowind and Elsweyr, but it's probably still on the expensive end compared to other MMOs.

did we actually find out definitely how big Summerset was?

ZOS claimed it's bigger than Vvardenfell during a live stream, and that was the end of the discussion. Depends if you believe them.

mairwen85 · September 2019

Just from descriptions of summerset in lore books from older games I was expecting to be disappointed. I had accepted they could never achieve the majesty of what those sources portrayed. I was pleasantly surprised with the final product. It is s pretty place, not as diverse as it could be, not much variation regionally, and the story is long winded... But I did enjoy it, and I'm glad I paid for a digital upgrade.

Lord_Sando · September 2019

wait didn't sorc lose the third bar in summer set?

psychotrip · September 2019

Faulgor wrote: »

1. Did you like the overall visual style of Summerset (color palette, architecture, gear, monsrers, landscapes etc)?
It was alright, besides the lore-issues and lack of biomes for a zone of that size.

2. Did the environments / cities feel varied and unique, or repetitive?
Very repetitive, but we knew that going in

3. What did you think about the story and characters?
The main story was the best of all chapters so far, easily. It was just a shame it didn't touch a lot on Altmer culture.

4. Did you like the portrayal of the Altmer? Did you find them interesting and/or unique?
Nope. Their culture was only explored very superficially, and was surprised me the most was the lack of magic in their everyday lives.

5. What about the overarching worldbuilding and lore? Did you like the direction Zenimax took with Summerset?
The main quest, again, was excellent. Everything else was disappointing in varying degrees, I have to say.

6. What about the gameplay? Did you enjoy the delves and end game content?
Delves and world bosses were good. I don't care much for trials, though.

7. Overall, do you think there was enough content?
I suppose. It's comparable to their other content releases.

8. Compared to similarly priced dlc / expansions in other MMOs, do you think Summerset was worth the money?
Summerset was already cheaper than Morrowind and Elsweyr, but it's probably still on the expensive end compared to other MMOs.

did we actually find out definitely how big Summerset was?

ZOS claimed it's bigger than Vvardenfell during a live stream, and that was the end of the discussion. Depends if you believe them.

Well according to Todd Howard (if you believe Matt Firor) Tamriel is "pretty mundane" at its heart and if magic disappeared "nobody would notice", so having a more fantastical portrayal of the Altmer doesn't fit with the current vision of the franchise.

I still wish they put a bit more effort into making the Altmer feel unique and interesting. There doesn't seem to he anything at all that separates them from generic fantasy high elves at this point.

I'm also really not looking forward to a singleplayer game set in Summerset anymore. Imagine if Morrowind, Cyrodiil, or Skyrim only had one environment to it. Doesn't sound like a place I want to delve hours into exploring.

Huyen · September 2019

psychotrip wrote: »

Since the last thread got closed for being "not relevant", we may as well make this a catch-all thread for all things Summerset.

Its been a while now and I'm curious what you guys think of it looking back.

Here's some conversation starters, but feel free to bring up anything you want about the chapter:

1. Did you like the overall visual style of Summerset (color palette, architecture, gear, monsters, landscapes etc)?
2. Did the environments / cities feel varied and unique, or repetitive?
3. What did you think about the story and characters?
4. Did you like the portrayal of the Altmer? Did you find them interesting and/or unique?
5. What about the overarching worldbuilding and lore? Did you like the direction Zenimax took with Summerset?
6. What about the gameplay? Did you enjoy the delves and end game content?
7. Overall, do you think there was enough content?
8. Compared to similarly priced dlc / expansions in other MMOs, do you think Summerset was worth the money?

Also, I never actually got to ask an important question in the last thread: did we actually find out definitely how big Summerset was? Did the mountains really make it disproportionally small? Or were we just imagining things like Zenimax seemed to imply? Was this really their biggest chapter yet?

Original thread: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/407887/mountains-mountains-and-more-mountains-vvardenfell-vol-2/p1

So let's discuss all things Summerset!

Did Summerset on one character. Dont intend to go back because...well, its more running back and forth to the same place 3 times then actual meaningfull gaming.

phwaap · September 2019

I bought TESO shortly after Summerset came out, so it sort of feels like a home base whenever I go there. Hadn't been playing there much until a few months ago when I went back and completed many achievements.

I think it compares favorably having done the rest of the game.

1. Visual style

Overall nothing to complain about, although it's not my favorite. A bit too clean and colorful.

2.environments / cities

Alinor is fantastic ofc, the others are just ghost copies.

The coast is great, in particular the bay between Keel and Welekin.

3. story and characters?

Enjoyed it. Psijic as well though it's painful to do now.

4. Portrayal of the Altmer

Prefer the contrast of Ayrenn et all with the others in the base game looking back.

6. Gameplay / delves

Delves and public dungeons are good, seem more expansive than in many other places. If overland feels small, they make up for it.

World bosses are also well done.

7.Enough content

Yep.

8. Summerset was worth the money

Don't do other mmos. However I played in Summerset for longer than I'd like to admit before realizing there were other zones(!) and was quite satisfied I'd gotten my money's worth.

Kagukan · September 2019

Summerset was great. Best DLC or chapter in the little over two years I have been playing.

zaria · September 2019

TelvanniWizard wrote: »

I was super disappointed with the architecture. That is why I dind't buy it, and played it a year later through Plus.

Agree on the architecture, lore indicated something more fantastic.
Granted they was probably written in an time then Altmer drug laws was very liberal and its no reason why it should be radical different from Auridon.
Liked the rest of the chapter.

Ilsabet · September 2019

I haven't played through Murkmire or Elsweyr yet, but I think I'd say that Summerset was my favorite DLC/chapter so far based on story/characters and aesthetics. It definitely had more emotional resonance for me than any other zone.

I liked the main story a lot, although you could poke some holes in certain plot elements, and I was especially impressed with the quality of the side quests. Many of them were particularly insightful or offered twists on themes we'd seen before. The new characters were interesting and nuanced, and it was cool to get a look at the inner workings and history of some of the established lore (like the history between Vanus and Mannimarco). On the con side, Raz was criminally underutilized, and the Psijics came across as awfully ineffectual for this big powerful all-knowing group of supermages, and the Proxy Queen really didn't have much to do besides be vaguely snooty.

I particularly loved the inclusion of Darien and his role as the Golden Knight, which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who's seen my fanfic thread. He could have been used as a cheap cameo or had some wrench thrown into his characterization, but his role was very meaningful and not only contributed integrally to the story but also served to build up the relationship between him and the Vestige. I especially appreciate that ZOS intentionally wrote things in a way that could be interpreted as either platonic or romantic depending on how the player envisioned what they meant to each other. The final scene in the Crystal Tower is one of my favorite pieces of writing in the game despite (or maybe because of) how heartbreaking it is.

To give you some sort of metric about how much I got out of Summerset's story, I'll refer to my fanfic thread. I generally write about quests or experiences that resonate with me somehow through the eyes of my character. Previous zones have ranged from 1 entry (Thieves Guild, Craglorn, Deshaan) to 10 entries (Orsinium and Dark Brotherhood).

Summerset entry count: 24 (not counting author's notes and drawings).

And only 10 of them involved Darien.

So yeah, it did a lot for me.

Aesthetically, I think Artaeum is the most beautiful zone in the game, and Summerset is good to look at too. It strikes me as an upgrade of Auridon - similar look but brighter and more colorful and more impressive. I like the new creatures and how many of them have an otherworldly or whimsical touch to them. I can see where the generic fantasy complaint comes from, but it doesn't really bother me.

There was a whole lot of Altmer superiority complex and racism, which honestly you'd expect in the previously-untouched Altmer homeland, but I also appreciated seeing some of the nuances of the society like the apraxic thing and the dynamics between some of the power groups.

Delves are fine, there's more to them than the base-game delves, which makes them feel more substantial the first time you go through them (especially since they all have related side quests that are more than "take this item to this NPC next time you go back to town") and they're only slightly cumbersome when you have to run back through them to do the repeatable dailies.

World bosses seem like more of an extravaganza than the base game ones, but hopefully there are enough people doing dailies that you can get enough of a group together.

It always made me sad that nobody really cared about geysers and they're too much for most people to solo, so you end up just not really doing them.

I'd describe Cloudrest as probably the most chaotic trial I've done. There's a lot going on all at once, especially if you combine bosses, and it took me several runs to figure out how certain mechanics worked. I still don't feel like I really know it as well as I know the older trials.

Overall, I was quite pleased with my gameplay experience, and I have no regrets about the money I paid for it.

Blinkin8r · September 2019

1. Did you like the overall visual style of Summerset (color palette, architecture, gear, monsters, landscapes etc)?
I thought the architecture was beautiful and a great example of high elf culture. A little to "pretty" for me tho.

2. Did the environments / cities feel varied and unique, or repetitive?
Yes, after a while it just seems like Disney castle after Disney castle.

3. What did you think about the story and characters?
Story was great. I liked that they brought Darien back.

6. What about the gameplay? Did you enjoy the delves and end game content?
This was the biggest one for me. End game content sucked. I enjoyed the mini trial in Clockwork city as I believe the only place for a mini trial is a small dlc like that. Mini trials do not belong in Chapter updates. Give us full trials.

7. Overall, do you think there was enough content?
No

8. Compared to similarly priced dlc / expansions in other MMOs, do you think Summerset was worth the money?
No

Rain_Greyraven · September 2019

Summerset was my biggest disappointment, basically becoming a SJW's *** despite what your culture believed.

It reeked of corporate virtue signaling and feel bad liberalism, to the point that they stealth reworked the wordage of several of the quest.

All in all it made for a boring but admittedly visually stunning ex pack.

Araneae6537 · September 2019

I find Summerset beautiful, loved the forest maze and the architecture. The first home I bought was the Alinor Crest Townhouse — love the layout and the view.

Overall I am pleased with how most of the altmer are portrayed, while many are arrogant and racist there are definite exceptions and more aspects of them can be explored in side quests and stories.

I am enjoying the quests so far, except one part where the continuity and my choices aren’t making sense to me (sorry to be so vague but want to avoid spoilers and maybe things will fall into place as I continue).

I haven’t played enough to really compare, especially whole quest lines, but my favorite areas are Summerset for its beauty and Vvardenfell for its unique exotic fantasy look (and nostalgia, I’ll not deny it!).

IndianaJames7 · September 2019

While the best dlc zone imo is wrothgar/orsinium, Summerset is up there with the best additions of content in the game. Jewelry crafting, cloudrest (n+3 is probably the funnest mechanics in a trial alongside MOL without being too difficult for non elite players/ ‘drunk-friendly trial’), original WBs/ geysers that actually put up a fight compared to their non-dlc counterparts, unique and useful psijic skill line (despite being a terrible unfun grind to get).

Content wise I loved everything about Summerset. The downside being that for me Summerset market the beginning of omegalag in Vivek.

MasterSpatula · September 2019

psychotrip wrote: »

I'm also really not looking forward to a singleplayer game set in Summerset anymore. Imagine if Morrowind, Cyrodiil, or Skyrim only had one environment to it. Doesn't sound like a place I want to delve hours into exploring.

A big part of the reason why High Elves are so insufferable is that they come from a paradise. Like most people with enormous privilege, they're convinced they must deserve it.

The Dunmer are obnoxious because of all they've overcome. The Altmer are obnoxious because of all they've been given.

And that's why it's not all that interesting a place.

hakan · September 2019

Well, the island is cool and all but i like morrowind or elsweyr more. Both content and visual wise. Elsweyr is way better than what i expected.

I dont like Altmer buildings much for some reason. The island looks good but boring imo. Thats why im mostly ebonheart pact i guess.

Psijic skill line ( except the loot) isnt really worth imo. i hardly find use for ulti and all the rest skills arent that good, which makes the passives eh.

Jewelry is still too expensive and there arent many sets that worth crafting so, yeah. I guess i still wont buy it unless i find it dead cheap on some third party site.

For now i got my main characters the skill line, my the main main has jewelry crafting almost full and thats enough.

psychotrip · September 2019

MasterSpatula wrote: »

psychotrip wrote: »

I'm also really not looking forward to a singleplayer game set in Summerset anymore. Imagine if Morrowind, Cyrodiil, or Skyrim only had one environment to it. Doesn't sound like a place I want to delve hours into exploring.

A big part of the reason why High Elves are so insufferable is that they come from a paradise. Like most people with enormous privilege, they're convinced they must deserve it.

The Dunmer are obnoxious because of all they've overcome. The Altmer are obnoxious because of all they've been given.

And that's why it's not all that interesting a place.

And yet it didn't have to be this way. Summerset could've been a visual "paradise" without being one generic forest and some beaches, and if they actually attempted to delve into Altmeri culture they'd seem more 3 dimensional and sympathetic overall. The Altmer deserved just as much depth and complexity as the Dunmer. Instead we got generic fantasy high elves.

But that's just my opinion.

FrancisCrawford · September 2019

My favorite art in any zone of any game I've played.

Among the better regional quest lines in this game.

Good creativity in the side quests, although tarnished by the obnoxious attitudes of many natives.